NEW YORK — A heated moment erupted in the second Big East Tournament semifinal when Creighton’s Jamiya Neal, who had scored 19 points, chose to windmill dunk at the last seconds. This pushed Creighton’s lead to 71-62 against UConn. UConn’s Hassan Diarra, feeling disrespected, shoved Neal. Although he squared up, no punches were thrown. Near midcourt, a sideline spat brewed between Creighton’s head coach Greg McDermott and UConn’s assistant Luke Murray, before both teams cooled off. UConn’s Jayden Ross was ejected after leaving the bench.
"I got caught up in the emotions of the game," Neal later admitted. "I respect Coach [Dan] Hurley and the UConn program. I apologize for the moment."
Underneath the drama, the game highlighted two teams at different stages in their seasons. For Creighton, defeating UConn was a significant achievement. Despite losing key player Pop Isaacs early in the season, they secured 15 conference wins and overcame tough opponents. Advancing to the Big East title game marked their fifth appearance in the last 11 tournaments since joining the league, although McDermott is still chasing his first title.
In contrast, UConn appears headed for a challenging NCAA Tournament, likely as an 8 or 9 seed. Their first-half defense faltered once more, revealing ongoing issues that have haunted them since their rough start in the Maui Invitational. With weak decision-making and a tendency to foul, UConn’s struggles became evident as they faced the Bluejays. Diarra’s reaction to Neal’s dunk seemed to mirror the frustration surrounding a season that has gone off course.
Hurley was candid about his team’s shortcomings. "We had a defensive performance not worthy of a championship game," he said. “We didn’t deserve to play for the title."
After a particularly bad first half, Hurley’s frustration boiled over. When Creighton shot a staggering 75% from the floor, Hurley shouted instructions as players rushed off the court. His anger reflected a season filled with unmet expectations, as his team’s earlier defensive prowess deteriorated.
Creighton’s discipline on defense set them apart. They consistently commit fewer fouls than any team nationally. Their strategy, led by 7-foot-1 Ryan Kalkbrenner, focused on positioning rather than aggressive play, effectively neutralizing UConn’s attempts to drive to the basket. In comparison, UConn’s repeated fouling led to frustrations with the referees, culminating in Hurley confronting officials about calls that went against his team.
These contrasts in defense highlight a critical gap between the two teams. While UConn’s physicality and foul troubles hinder their progress, Creighton’s resilience and disciplined approach make them formidable. McDermott emphasized the toughness of his players, pointing out, "You don’t beat UConn a couple of times in a season without having tough dudes."
This Big East semifinal underscores a pivotal moment for both teams. Creighton aims for its first tournament title, while UConn must confront its challenges as they prepare for the NCAA Tournament. As both teams move forward, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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